Cold water pre-heater

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a water warming system and method for warming a hot water heater supply line that includes: a s-shaped piping connected to a water supply line; an insulating compartment surrounding the s-shaped piping; a warm wastewater input into the insulating compartment and a wastewater output from the insulating compartment; and an output from the s-shaped piping connected to a hot water heater. The water supply line inputs either ambient water or cool water into the s-shaped piping. The warm wastewater generated within a home provides a source for the warm wastewater.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a system and method to warm cold water prior to entry into a hot water heater.

2. Description of Related Art

Temperature control of a water supply to a residential home usually begins with a hot water heater installed at the home. The hot water heater comprises a tank that heats and stores the warm water for use by the consumer. Water supplied to the home travels from a water main into the home via a water supply pipe. The water supplied to the home may be directly sent to a faucet or spicket for use by the consumer or the water supplied is transferred to the hot water heater to be pre-heated prior to distribution in the home.

Hot or warm water utilized at a home is usually distributed via a faucet or to an appliance. The hot water heater warms the water to a desired temperature, stores the water within a tank that is usually part of the hot water heater. The energy used to heat the water within the hot water heater is usually natural gas or electricity.

As stated, hot water used in the home is usually through the use of a shower, faucet or appliance such as a dishwasher or a washing machine. Most hot water tanks are insulated to reduce standby heat loss. As the warm water within the tank is consumed additional water is supplied to the hot water heater and thus requires warming as supplied. The water supplied to the hot water heater is cold or ambient temperature water and is directed from the water main as stated above. It would be advantageous to utilize a means to pre-warm or raise the temperature of the supplied cold water to the hot water heater in order to reduce the energy costs associated with heating water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a water warming system for warming a hot water heater supply line comprising: a s-shaped piping connected to a water supply line; an insulating compartment surrounding the s-shaped piping; a warm wastewater input into the insulating compartment and a wastewater output from the insulating compartment; and an output from the s-shaped piping connected to a hot water heater. The water supply line inputs either ambient water or cool water into the s-shaped piping. The warm wastewater generated within a home provides a source for the warm wastewater.

The present invention also includes a method of warming a hot water heater supply line comprising the steps of: connecting a s-shaped piping to a water supply line; surrounding the s-shaped piping with an insulating compartment; inputting warm wastewater into the insulating compartment; and connecting an output of the s-shaped piping to a hot water heater. The method also includes the step of providing a continuous flow of warm wastewater into the insulating compartment.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a prospective view of the water warming system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 provides a detailed view of the water supply line according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a system which utilizes warm waste water to pre-heat a water supply line into a hot water heater. The present invention utilizes warm waste water that normally exits or is drained from a shower or appliance within the home and the warm waste water travels through an insulating compartment which surrounds a water supply pipe that is directed to a hot water heater. The warm wastewater therefore warms the cold water that is directed to the hot water heater prior to its entry into the hot water heater.

FIG. 1 provides the overview of the warming system according to the present invention. An insulating compartment 20 is depicted in FIG. 1 provides a means of travel for the water supply directed to a hot water heater. Cold water from a water main enters the insulating compartment 20 at a water entry point 10 a. This water travels through an S-shaped piping 22 within the insulating compartment 20 and exits at a water exit point 10 b that is directed to the hot water heater. Warm wastewater is directed into the insulating compartment at water entry point 12 b. This warm wastewater circulates over the S-shaped piping 22 and therefore warms the cold water the travels through the piping 22 that is supplied from the water main. The warm wastewater then exits the insulating compartment 20 a water exit point 12 a and is directed to the main waste water pipe for the home.

The S-shaped pipe 22 provides the means to slow the flow of the water supply to the water heater as it travels through the insulating compartment 20. The slower moving water through the S-shaped piping therefore increases in temperature due to the surrounding warm wastewater within the insulating compartment 20.

FIG. 2 shows the prospective view of the water supplied via the insulating compartment 20 where the pre-warmed water that exits at water exit point 10 b is directed to a hot water heater 30. The hot water heater 30 further warms the water supplied via the insulating compartment 20 and then is directed throughout the household via the outlet pipe 32. Since the water is pre-warmed through the insulating compartment 20 then the energy requirements for the hot water heater 30 are reduced.

The warm insulating compartment 20 connects through desired piping that collects the warm wastewater and directs it to the insulating compartment 20. The present invention provides a quick coupling attachment to the water supply for a hot water heater. The pre-heating of the water prior entering the hot water heater helps to reduce costs associated with maintaining the hot water heater and may increase the useful life of the hot water heater.

The instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. 

1. A water warming system for warming a hot water heater supply line comprising: a. a s-shaped piping connected to a water supply line; b. an insulating compartment surrounding the s-shaped piping; c. a warm wastewater input into the insulating compartment and a wastewater output from the insulating compartment; and d. an output from the s-shaped piping connected to a hot water heater.
 2. The water warming system according to claim 1, where the water supply line inputs at least one of ambient water and cool water into the s-shaped piping.
 3. The water warming system according to claim 1, where wastewater collected from a home provides a source for the warm wastewater.
 4. A method of warming a hot water heater supply line comprising the steps of: a. connecting a s-shaped piping to a water supply line; b. surrounding the s-shaped piping with an insulating compartment; c. inputting warm wastewater into the insulating compartment; and d. connecting an output of the s-shaped piping to a hot water heater.
 5. The method according to claim 4 further comprising the step of: a. providing a continuous flow of warm wastewater into the insulating compartment. 